La traviata

LA TRAVIATA

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LA TRAVIATA FEBRUARY 16 & 18, 2024 Letter from the General Director ������������������ 4 Board of Directors ������������������������������������������� 6 Opera Omaha Staff ������������������������������������������ 7 About Opera Omaha ��������������������������������������� 9 Major Contributors ���������������������������������������� 11 Conductor's Note ������������������������������������������ 12 Director's Note ���������������������������������������������� 14 Title Page �������������������������������������������������������� 18 Synopsis ���������������������������������������������������������� 20 Artist Biographies ����������������������������������������� 24 Production Staff �������������������������������������������� 29 Opera Omaha Chorus ���������������������������������� 29 Omaha Symphony ����������������������������������������� 30 Craftsman’s Guild ������������������������������������������ 32 Opera Omaha Guild ������������������������������������� 32 Cotillion Graduates ��������������������������������������� 35 Holland Community Opera Fellowship ���� 36 Opera Omaha Donors ���������������������������������� 38 Memorials & Tributes ����������������������������������� 41 Fortissimo Society & Special Funds ���������� 44 Corporate & Foundation Donors �������������� 45 Repertoire History ���������������������������������������� 46 OPA Board and Administration ������������������ 48 OPA General Information ��������������������������� 49 Get Involved ��������������������������������������������������� 50

Season artwork by Nathaniel Ruleaux | nathanielruleaux.com

FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTOR

WELCOME TO OPERA OMAHA Dear Friends: If La traviata is your first opera, you chose well. If you’ve been to an opera before or if you’ve seen La traviata before, you also chose well! Thank you for joining us for Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece, which has inspired countless reinterpretations since its premiere in 1853, including the movies Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge.

La traviata is one of the most popular operas ever written—and for good reason. The music and story are timeless, and in our production, soprano Andriana Chuchman and tenor Brian Vu in their debuts as Violetta and Alfredo bring excitement and freshness to these iconic roles.

The Opera Omaha Season continues this spring when GRAMMY Awardwinning superstar Anthony Roth Costanzo performs the world premiere of Don’t Look Back on April 19 at Steelhouse Omaha. This one-night-only performance is the centerpiece of the Opera Omaha Gala, our largest and most important fundraiser of the year. This is a can’t-miss event! Tickets are available online at operaomaha.org/Gala or by calling Joe Prickett, Director of Development, at 402.346.7372 EXT 201.

On May 3 and 5, we look forward to the Midwest premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz’s El último sueño de Frida y Diego, Opera Omaha’s first Spanish-language opera. This visually stunning production has only been seen in California, and it imagines Frida Kahlo’s return to the mortal world on Día de los Muertos. She encounters her husband Diego Rivera, who summoned her return, and she visits her beloved Casa Azul and the many paintings she created during her life.

It's hard to believe, but our 2024-2025 Season will be here before we know it! Subscriptions are available now for Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, and Handel’s Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar) performed by renowned Baroque specialists The English Concert conducted by Harry Bicket, the world’s leading interpreter of Handel opera.

Next year also brings a new initiative: an opera series for audiences of all ages. We are delighted to produce Tobias Picker’s Fantastic Mr. Fox outdoors on June 5, 6, 7 and 8 at Lauritzen Gardens. Please stay tuned for more information!

Opening night of La traviata marks my one-year anniversary at Opera Omaha.

You have welcomed me so warmly, and I am beyond grateful to lead this uniquely creative and nimble company in this vibrant and generous community.

With thanks always, and all best wishes,

LEER EN ESPAÑOL

Allison Swenson GENERAL DIRECTOR

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

the

proudly supports

Opera Omaha Help us invest in the future of the arts and humanities across Nebraska. Learn more about the Nebraska Cultural Endowment at NebraskaCulture.org

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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OPERA OMAHA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Linda Burt Rebrovic CHAIR

Terri Sanders

Betty Foster

Joe Spitzenberger

David Gardels

Jara Sturdivant-Wilson

Leslie Garth

Kiley Freeman VICE CHAIR

Carol E. Domina

Lisa Hagstrom

EMERITUS BOARD

SECRETARY

Terrence J. Ferguson

Robert J. Vladem

Robert E. Owen

TREASURER

Jim Winner

Mary Ann Strasheim

ADVISORS CHAIR

Angie Williams COMMUNITY PANEL REPRESENTATIVE

ADVISORS

Dr. Fred Hanna Carter Jones Mark Allen Maser Sheila McNeil April Nebel Dr. Debra Reilly-Culver Mary Ann Strasheim

Linda Andersen

Jerry Syslo

Dr. Anne Bruckner

Jo Bartikoski

Dr. James Tracy

Dr. Ali Khan

Dr. Jawed Bharwani

Shelby VanNordstrand

Mihaela Kobjerowski

Nicholas Bjornson

Cindy Weil

H. Frederick Kuehl

Roger Blauwet

Deb Peterson

Dr. Joanne Li

Sandra Bruns

OPERA OMAHA GUILD PRESIDENT

Barbara Person

Dr. Karen Fannin

Chris Gannon-Tombrello CRAFTSMAN’S GUILD PRESIDENT

VERDI

LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Mar 9, 10:55 am & Mar 13, 6pm GOUNOD

ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

Mar 23, 11:55 am & Mar 27, 6 pm

PUCCINI

LA RONDINE

Apr 20, 11:55 am & Apr 24, 6 pm PUCCINI

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

May 11, 11:55 am & May 15, 6 pm

TICKETS (NO FEES) & TRAILERS AT LA FORZA DEL DESTINO

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

OPERA OMAHA

STAFF

Allison Swenson GENERAL DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATION

ENGAGEMENT

Jenny Daggett

Taylor Adams

FINANCE CONSULTANT

HOLLAND COMMUNITY OPERA FELLOW

April Hartman, SHRM-SCP

Wendy Kaiser

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT

COMMUNITY OPERA FELLOWSHIP MANAGER

Cydnea Hoff

Pat McEvoy

OFFICE MANAGER

ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT

Shannon Walenta

Lauren Medici

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Gwyn Williams, MS

Charisa Ramsey

DEI, LEADERSHIP, & ORGANIZATION CULTURE CONSULTANT

ARTISTIC Kai Song Chan ARTISTIC OPERATIONS MANAGER

Josh Quinn HEAD OF MUSIC

Katrina Thurman DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

DEVELOPMENT Rebecca Ihnen DONOR STEWARDSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER

Laura Jaros DEVELOPMENT DATABASE & ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Joe Prickett DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

HOLLAND COMMUNITY OPERA FELLOW

Alejandra Sandoval-Montañez HOLLAND COMMUNITY OPERA FELLOW

MARKETING Rachel Austin ART DIRECTOR

Howard Coffin AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & SALES MANAGER

Kyle Thomas DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

OPERATIONS Mark Blice DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Chad Curran ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Grant Hilgenkamp TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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ENERGIZING IMPACT Husch Blackwell proudly supports Opera Omaha’s 2023-2024 season and celebrates its ongoing mission to enrich the quality of life in our community by creating professional opera that expresses humanity’s deepest emotions and highest aspirations.

huschblackwell.com David E. Gardels, Partner | Opera Omaha Advisors david.gardels@huschblackwell.com | 402.964.5027

OPERA OMAHA

NEBRASKA’S ONLY PROFESSIONAL OPERA COMPANY

Opera Omaha is a growth-minded, high energy, and innovative company with a demanding mission: producing opera performances in multiple formats and styles and co-creating artist-led programs for a variety of community service organizations. We believe the power of opera is transformational, and as a result supports the creation of an inventive, creative, empathetic, and inclusive community that inspires joy, self-discovery, kinder discourse, and opportunity for all.

Since 1958 Opera Omaha has been led by devotion to two elements: Art and Community. Everything we’ve done, and continue to do, is guided by the hope that through this work we can ask questions, enrich lives and uplift our city.

OUR VALUES Staying Curious | Sparking Inspiration | Centering Humans | Leading Responsibly

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT OPERAOMAHA.ORG

LEER EN ESPAÑOL LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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WITH GRATITUDE

FOR OUR CONTRIBUTORS Opera Omaha honors Richard D. Holland and the Holland Foundation for unyielding major support over the years and the entire Simon family and Omaha Steaks for their generosity and multi-year sponsorships.

With our sincere gratitude, we acknowledge the following foundations and businesses that make our programming a reality. Opera Omaha would also like to recognize the institutions and corporations that provide operating support or sponsor our community engagement programs, which are designed to educate, uplift and enrich our community.

SEASON SPONSORS

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

PRODUCTION SPONSOR

STEVE MENZIES ARTIST SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SEASON SUPPORT Anonymous William R. Patrick Foundation

Rose Blumkin Foundation

Heider Family Foundation

Giger Foundation

Jetton Charitable Fund

Adah and Leon Millard Foundation Allan and Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation

Mammel Family Foundation

The Hawks Foundation

GENEROUS PUBLIC SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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BETWEEN A C T S FA C T S

LA TRAVIATA

WHAT ABOUT LA TRAVIATA CONNECTS US TO OUR HUMANITY?

Violetta, the Noble Heart of La traviata

“

CONDUCTOR’S NOTE

For me, La Traviata connects us powerfully to the parental struggle to try to protect your children (no matter their age) but making all kinds of mistakes along the way.

— Jared Hiscock

”

DOTTORE GRENVIL

“

Amidst the fragility of life, love is not only important, but vital.

— Jaime Marie Webb

”

ANNINA

“

The complicated and true love between Violetta and Alfredo. Life is messy but what is meant for you will always find its way back to you.

— Brian Vu

”

ALFREDO GERMONT

“

Reflecting on the ways in which we may have passed judgement on someone because of their status, lifestyle, or past. It teaches us the importance of connecting with others on a deeper level rather than projecting onto them our own insecurities.

”

— Jesse Wohlman

MESSENGER

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La traviata is the only Verdi opera that takes place entirely indoors. How aesthetically fitting for a work of art that explores with startling detail the interior of the human heart.

There is an intimacy about La traviata that is unique in nearly all the operatic literature. To spend time within the lovingly drawn confines of this great masterpiece, even if for the umpteenth time, is to make vulnerable one’s own heart and sympathies to the ecstasy, nobility, fragility and despair that attend the path of truly sacrificial love.

It is, of course, the character of Violetta who is the center of our fascination and affection in this drama that inspired Verdi’s highly personal and endearing portrayal.

After the very first bars of the prelude hint at the frail and tenuous state of her health, Verdi unveils a melody that gives us the full measure of her goodness and beauty of character. This is the same music that returns in the second act with heartbreaking potency when she sings, "Amami, Alfredo, quanto io t'amo." “Love me Alfredo, as much as I love you.”

As the first act develops, we are struck, more than anything else, by Violetta’s worldly wisdom and determined independence. Verdi encapsulates her faux joie de vivre in iconic fashion in the great aria and cabaletta that end the act, "Ah, fors’è lui...Sempre libera," but not before the composer plants a seed—almost an idée fixe—that alters her initial convictions and eventually resonates with her to the very last moment of her life. It is the expansive lyric melody with which Alfredo expresses his love for her, “a love which is the very breath of the universe itself, mysterious and noble, both the pain and ecstasy of the heart.” She, herself, sings these words and this melody when she is alone; Alfredo sings it insistently like a troubadour outside her window; and in the last act Verdi gives it to a solo violin with devastating emotional effect in extremis. (Puccini does something similar in the last act of La bohème, when the orchestra alone plays a heart-rending reprise of "Che gelida manina" as Rodolfo and Mimì embrace in silence just moments before the tragic conclusion of that beloved opera).

The great centerpiece of La traviata is the Act II duet between Violetta and Germont. It is nothing short of astounding what Verdi achieves in this complex and poignant conversation between these characters whose priorities and worldviews could not be more diametrically opposed.

Reading the libretto alone, without the music, one could perhaps be inclined to find it dramatically implausible. Yet

with staggering compositional craftsmanship Verdi unfolds a complex structure that mixes recitative, arioso, cantabile bel-canto melody, and searing pathos to create a devastating dramatic arc. By the end of the duet nearly all of Violetta’s emotions have been challenged and abused. We are dumbstruck by her strength of character, and Germont, whose base and manipulative insinuations she has had to endure, is left with a subdued feeling of guilt and gratitude as he’s come to understand the reality and depth of her love for his son.

The music that opens the last act of the opera is often referred to as a prelude, but Verdi didn’t see it that way. From the opening bars that recall the first sounds of the opera, Violetta is there, dying, as the strings in the orchestra sing a song of almost unbearable desperate beauty. This music is Violetta, personifying her sublime goodness and profound suffering with some of Verdi’s most profound music. The simplicity of her aria, "Addio del passato" (“Farewell, happy dreams of the past”), is a creation of utter perfection, with Verdi employing the doleful strains of a solo oboe to convey the futility and hopelessness of her attenuating existence.

The return of Alfredo offers temporary hope, but the inevitability of Violetta’s demise cannot be avoided. As she approaches the end, we hear in the orchestra the same rhythmic death march that accompanies Leonora’s "Miserere" as she stands outside the prison where Manrico awaits his death sentence in Il trovatore. As the solo violin plays the familiar love motif for the last time, Violetta experiences a moment of ecstasy as she utters her final words, “O, joy!”

From a musician’s point of view, it is amazing to observe that Verdi achieves such tailor-made specificity of characterization with so many of the same musical techniques and structural methods that we find in Rigoletto (1851) and Il trovatore (1853), the two operas that were written at almost the same time as La traviata (1853). For example, Alfredo’s second-act cabaletta has virtually the same fiery orchestral accompaniment as Manrico’s "Di quella pira" in Il trovatore. Yet the dramatic atmosphere of the two operas could not be more distant from each other. The same recitative-arioso techniques that mark Violetta and Germont’s duet, as well as the beginning of the last act, find themselves on full display in Rigoletto. The point is that Verdi didn’t require novelty or exotic innovation to further his aesthetic purposes. There is a sincerity and almost willful restraint to his compositional procedures that infallibly serve the purposes of the drama and illuminate the human depth of his characters. Nowhere is the heart of a composer more plainly laid bare than in the sublime heart of Violetta.

— Steven White PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR

LEER EN ESPAÑOL LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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LA TRAVIATA

A CHAT WITH DIRECTOR, E. LOREN MEEKER Why La traviata?

"Producing Verdi’s La traviata is a fabulous honor and challenge for me as stage director. It is one of the most well known pieces in the operatic canon and therefore it deserves a place on the modern operatic stage, but it is critical to create a production that gives the piece agency and relevance to a modern audience. Producing this opera in 2024 means the cast, creative team, in fact the company as a whole, must delve deeply into the timeless themes and musical and dramatic qualities in order to bring this powerful work of art to the stage."

What do you connect to in this piece?

"The universal themes, gorgeous music, and the emotional power of Traviata makes this opera a dream to direct. The opera delves into the complexities of love, sacrifice, societal expectations, and the consequences of one's choices. Traviata explores themes that are timeless and resonate with audiences of any era. My challenge in preparing for the production was finding a unique way into the piece and believe it or not, I stumbled across my answer through a video on TikTok. " Tell me more about the TikTok video and your inspiration for this production. Do you have a specific vision and concept?

"For this production we have rented sets and costumes that place the opera in its traditional, or period setting. So my immediate reaction as a director was 'what can we do through staging and character choices that will allow the cast to discover how Traviata still impacts our societal thinking in 2024?' I was struggling to answer that question for myself until I came across a TikTok video from John Green who posted in response to a viewer’s question, 'Can you connect tuberculosis [TB] to the Barbie movie?' Intrigued, I watched as he talked about Barbie looking like Barbie, at least in part, due to TB. He goes on to mention societal and fashion trends that extend back to the 1900s and upon further research, I discovered that his logic is fascinating. TB was heavily romanticized in the 1900s in Europe in highly gender specific ways.

For men having the disease became a gateway to creative genius. For women, it became a way of easily achieving a beautiful figure thanks to the disease's emaciating effects - a shrinking waistline which places emphasis on the chest, the paling of the skin into a 'beautiful' alabaster tone, defined cheekbones, and large, glowing eyes. Fashion heightened the effects and soon pointed corsets became all the rage because they made your waist incredibly small, mimicking the coveted silhouette of people who were 'lucky enough' to contract TB. According to John Green, the desire for this disease and figure was so great that even while dying from TB herself, the novelist Charlotte Brontë wrote 'Consumption, I am aware, is a flattering malady.'

Unexpectedly, through this one video, my world blew open. We can bring the themes of corrupt beauty standards and societal pressures to the forefront of this production. We still struggle with body image in 2024 and we still still struggle with fitting into society. Violetta may have a fashionable disease, but she also fights fiercely to be an independent woman who can love who she wants. This is more than a Pretty Woman story. This opera shows a woman at the height of her personal power, choosing to love Alfredo, a man from a family of

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BETWEEN A C T S FA C T S a much higher ranking. Society looks down upon their union and initially she is willing to fight the court of public opinion in the name of true love. Only when Germont begs Violetta to consider the jeopardy Alfredo’s entire family is in due to her affair with Alfredo, does she end the relationship - not because she doesn’t love him, not because she isn’t willing to stand up to society, but rather to put her love first, to keep him from total ruin. With these threads of fashion, societal pressure, and love woven together I discovered a powerful heroine who is flawed, dynamic, and worthy of exploring with an audience."

WHAT DO YOU HOPE AUDIENCES TAKE AWAY FROM THIS OPERA?

“

I want audiences to be moved to address their own issues through a new perspective. Opera at its best is human beings coming together to pay tribute to the human condition

Why do you think La traviata has endured so long and become so popular?

in a way that is visceral and spiritual,

"Hopefully, through the choices we have made with the characterizations, the piece will feel incredibly timely and emotionally charged. I will credit the enduring popularity of the piece to the masterful storytelling and powerful music.

The characters are multi-dimensional, facing moral dilemmas and personal struggles. Violetta is a complex person who undergoes significant development throughout the opera.

Audiences can relate to and empathize with the situation Violetta and Alfredo find themselves in, making the narrative engaging and thought-provoking. From a musical perspective it’s hard to be better than Verdi. The opera is known for its beautiful arias, duets, and ensembles that convey a range of emotions, from love and joy to heartbreak and tragedy. Verdi’s music has the ability to create a visceral experience which, for me, is why I love experiencing opera. There is no more powerful combination of words, music, and visual spectacle.

The combination of story and music allows this opera to address social issues such as class distinctions, societal expectations, and the challenges faced by individuals who deviate from societal norms. These themes remain relevant in modern society - transcending time and cultural differences by reflecting a deeply personal and human experience. At its core, Traviata provides an opportunity for audiences to reflect on contemporary issues through the lens of a 19th-century narrative."

time. I want our audiences to be

humbling and inspiring at the same moved to consider the world with a wider perspective than when they walked into the theater.

”

— Steven White

PRINICPAL GUIEST CONDUCTOR

“

I hope everyone hugs their loved ones and is moved by the importance of love in all its forms.

— Jaime Marie Webb

”

ANNINA

“

To find a captivating escape from the trials and mundanity of everyday life, allowing them to be transported to a world of beauty, emotion, and imagination.

”

— Andriana Chuchman

VIOLETTA VALÉRY

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LA TRAVIATA Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave Performed in Italian with English supertitles

February 16 & 18, 2024 Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall | Omaha, Nebraska First performance: Teatro La Fenice, Venice, 6 March 1853 First Opera Omaha performance: March 1961

CREATIVE

CAST

Steven White

Andriana Chuchman^

Matthew Sommer

PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR

VIOLETTA VALÉRY

BARONE DOUPHOL

E. Loren Meeker*

Brian Vu

Schuyler Rose

DIRECTOR

ALFREDO GERMONT

MARCHESE D'OBIGNY

Marcella Barbeau*

Hyung Yun*

Jared Hiscock

LIGHTING DESIGNER

GIORGIO GERMONT

DOTTORE GRENVIL

Meg Gillentine*

Audrey Babcock

Gavin Rasmussen

CHOREOGRAPHER

FLORA BERVOIX

GIUSEPPE

Ronell Oliveri

Jaime Marie Webb*

Jesse Wohlman

WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER

ANNINA

MESSENGER

Graham Brooks GASTONE DE LETORIÈRES

*Opera Omaha Debut

The Opera Omaha Chorus | Josh Quinn, Chorus Director The Omaha Symphony Scenery designed by Peter Dean Beck for Florida Grand Opera. Made available courtesy of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Costumes provided by Sarasota Opera Association, Inc. ^The performances of Andriana Chuchman are supported by Mutual of Omaha The performance runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with two intermissions.

The use of flash equipped cameras, audio recorders, video cameras or any other recording device during the performance

LA TRAVIATA

SYNOPSIS ACT I THE HOME OF VIOLETTA VALÉRY After a long bout of illness, Violetta Valéry, a courtesan of Paris, is throwing a party. As her friends arrive, she is introduced to Alfredo Germont, who has been a silent admirer of Violetta, inquiring on her every day during her sickness. This irritates Baron Duphol, Violetta’s current lover, and he refuses to make a toast. The guests ask Alfredo to propose the toast. He sings to celebrate true love and beauty. Prompting her guests to dance, Violetta suddenly feels faint. She denies her struggle and encourages her guests out.

Only Alfredo remains behind. He confesses his sincere desire to take care of her, his long admiration, and his love. Violetta laughs it off. There is no place for such feelings in her life. She can only offer her friendship in return and asks that he no longer speak of his love. Rebuked, he starts to leave, but, affected by him, Violetta offers him a camellia and asks that he return when it has faded. The guests depart. Alone, Violetta is torn - she cannot give up her life of pleasure, but she feels that Alfredo has awakened love and her desire to be truly loved.

20 MINUTE INTERMISSION ACT II SCENE ONE A COUNTRY HOUSE Violetta has chosen a life with Alfredo. For the past three months they have been enjoying their love in the country, far from society. Annina, Violetta’s maid, discloses to Alfredo that their life is only possible because Violetta has been selling her possessions to sustain their debts. Alfredo suddenly understands the sacrifices that Violetta has made in order to live with him and leaves for Paris, determined not to be shamed by her monetary support and to procure money. Violetta has received an invitation to a dance, but she no longer cares about such distractions. An unexpected visitor, Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, arrives. He demands that she separate from his son forever. Their relationship threatens his daughter’s impending marriage as it would ruin any social standing Alfredo’s middle-class family has.

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Violetta’s resistance dwindles and she finally agrees to leave Alfredo forever. She asks that after her death he learn the truth about her sacrifice. She accepts the invitation to the dance and writes a goodbye letter to her lover as Alfredo returns. Concealing the letter from him, she tells him she will go away to meet his Father. As she goes, she confesses her love to him, one last time. Soon after he departs, a messenger delivers the letter. While Alfredo is reading the letter, his father appears to console him. Furious and jealous, Alfredo leaves to seek revenge for Violetta’s apparent betrayal.

SCENE TWO FLORA'S BALL News has spread of Violetta and Alfredo’s separation. Dancers of carnival entertain the guests. Alfredo arrives. Violetta enters on the arm of Baron Douphol. Alfredo, victorious in gambling explains that he is unlucky in love, lucky at cards. The Baron, incensed at Alfredo’s insolence, challenges him to play. Alfredo accepts and beats the Baron repeatedly at high stakes. When the guests withdraw to dinner, Violetta entreats Alfredo to leave. Alfredo answers that he will leave, but only if she accompanies him. Unable to reveal her true feelings, Violetta declares that she is in love with the Baron. In a jealous rage Alfredo calls in the guests, throws money at Violetta’s feet, and proclaims that he has paid her in full. Giorgio, who has witnessed the scene, rebukes his son for his behavior. Alfredo, realizing the lengths to which his rage has taken him, is contrite. The Baron assures Alfredo that he must answer for the insult in a duel.

15 MINUTE INTERMISSION ACT III VIOLETTA’S BEDROOM Violetta is dying. Her friend, Dr. Grenvil, examines her and quietly tells Annina that she has a few hours left. Violetta sends Annina out to give money to the poor. She reads a letter from Giorgio in which she learns that Alfredo has gone abroad after wounding the Baron in a duel. Full of regret, he has told Alfredo the truth about her sacrifice. Alfredo will come to her as soon as possible, though Violetta is afraid that he might be too late. The sound of carnival celebrations are heard outside.

Alfredo arrives and the reunion fills Violetta with euphoria. She tries to get up but is too weak. Suddenly, all sorrow and suffering seems to have left her—a final illusion, before death claims her.

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Don Giovanni

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The Rake's Progress Giulio Cesare

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Fri. Feb. 21, 2025 | 7:30 PM Sun. Feb. 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM Embark on a journey through the perils of excess in The Rake's Progress. $_bv v-ঞu; 7;rb1|v |_; ubv; -m7 =-ѴѴ o= $ol !-h; ;ѴѴķ - o m] l-m ;mঞ1;7 0 |_; ruolbv; o= ;-Ѵ|_ -m7 rѴ;-v u;ĺ u 0u-m7Ŋm; ruo7 1ঞom 0 u; bvbombv| 7bu;1|ou - b7 Ѵ7;m =;-| u;v vol; o= |_; Cm;v| vbm]bm] -1|ouv bm or;u-ĺ )b|_ "|u- bmvh Ľv ];mb v v1ou; -| |_; =ou;=uom|ķ fobm v -m7 Cm7 o | _;|_;u $u Ѵo ; 1omt ;uv -ѴѴĺ olrov;7 0 ;ou]; ub7;ub1 -m7;Ѵ ŐƐѵѶƔŊƐƕƔƖő b0u; o 0 b1oѴ- u-m1;v1o - l ŐƐѵƕѶŊƐƕƑƖő olrov;7ķ ƐƕƑƓĺ r;u- l-_- olr-m u;lb;u;ĺ

Thurs. May 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM $u- ;Ѵ |_uo ]_ -m1b;m| ] r| b|_ -m7;Ѵŝv Giulio Cesare. The English om1;u|ķ |_; ouѴ7Ľv ru;;lbm;m| -uot ; ou1_;v|u-ķ bvb|v l-_- =ou om; mb]_| omѴ |o ru;v;m| |_; |-Ѵ; o= Ѵb v -;v-uķ |_; bm=-lo v !ol-m ];m;u-Ѵ -m7 7b1|-|ouĺ $_; m]Ѵbv_ om1;u| -m7 1om7 1|ou -uu b1h;| bѴѴ 0; v;-|;7 omv|-];ķ -m7 o bѴѴ v;; |_; bm|;u1_-m]; 0;| ;;m |_; ou1_;v|u-ķ vol; rѴ- bm] _bv|oub1 -uot ; bmv|u l;m|vķ -m7 |_; vbm];uvĺ $_bv v;lbŊv|-];7 or;u- bѴѴ |u-mvrou| o 0-1h bm ঞl;ķ -Ѵ|_o ]_ |_; |_;l;v o= ro ;uķ Ѵo ;ķ -m7 roѴbঞ1v -u; ঞl;Ѵ;vvĺ

Introducing the Family Opera Series

Fantastic Mr. Fox

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Not included with subscription. Tickets on sale soon! "hbr bm|o - _blvb1-Ѵ ouѴ7 o= = uu =ub;m7v -m7 -7 ;m| u;v bm -m|-vࢼ1 uĸ o ĺ !o-Ѵ7 -_Ѵŝv 1Ѵ-vvb1 mo ;Ѵ 1ol;v |o Ѵb=; bm |_bv 7;Ѵb]_ Ѵ or;u- 0 l;ub1-m 1olrov;u $o0b-v b1h;uĺ obm uĺ o -m7 _bv 1Ѵ; ;u -mbl-Ѵ 1olr-mbomv -v |_; o |vl-u| |_u;; 0 l0Ѵbm] =-ul;uvĺ ;u=;1| =ou or;u- ;m|_ vb-v|v -m7 =-lbѴb;v -Ѵbh;ķ |_bv m; ruo7 1ঞom r;u=oul;7 -| - ub| ;m -u7;mv bѴѴ Ѵ;- ; o b|_ - vlbѴ; -v 0b] -v uĺ o ŝv rѴ-mvĴ

! ĺ ! ņƑƓŊƑƔ

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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ARTIST

BIOGRAPHIES Steven White

E. Loren Meeker

Principal Guest Conductor, Steven White has lead numerous Opera Omaha productions, including Rigoletto, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Così fan tutte, Faust, Eugene Onegin and Le nozze di Figaro. This season he will conduct Thaïs at Utah Opera and will return to the Metropolitan Opera for Turandot. Mr. White made his acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut in 2010, conducting performances of La traviata starring Angela Gheorghiu.

Since then, he has conducted Metropolitan Opera performances with such stars as Placido Domingo, Natalie Dessay, Thomas Hampson, and Dmitri Hvorostovksy. Highlights from within the last year include Ariadne auf Naxos at Arizona Opera, and Anna Bolena at the Academy of Vocal Arts. Last season he made his debut with an award-winning production of Lalla-Roukh at the Wexford Festival and conducted the Verdi Requiem and the Britten War Requiem at Opera Roanoke, where he has been the Artistic Director since 2004.

E. Loren Meeker makes her Opera Omaha debut directing La traviata. Ms. Meeker has garnered worldwide acclaim for her keen artistic vision and rich, measured storytelling. With an international career spanning engagements across the United States, Argentina, Singapore, and France, Ms. Meeker’s work has been seen at notable houses including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Teatro Colón, and more. In 2020, Meeker was named General & Artistic Director of OPERA San Antonio.

Most recently, she has directed La bohème at The Glimmerglass Festival, Romeo and Juliet at OPERA San Antonio, Così fan tutte at Arizona Opera, and The Marriage of Figaro at Austin Opera. Other notable credits include Santa Fe Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, and San Francisco Opera.

Opera Omaha Principal Guest Conductor

Marcella Barbeau

Director

Ronell Oliveri

Lighting Designer

Wig & Makeup Designer

Marcella Barbeau makes her Opera Omaha debut designing La traviata. A New York City based lighting designer, recent credits include L'elisir d'amore at Florentine Opera, Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon at Lookingglass Theatre (world premiere), Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2023 festival, Maria de Buenos Aires at Opera San Antonio and Opera Columbus, Rigoletto at Opera Columbus, Cabaret, As One, The Threepenny Opera, and The Threepenny Carmen (world premiere) with The Atlanta Opera, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown at Village Theatre, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs at Austin Opera (co-design), and Five Guys Named Moe at Playhouse on Park. Upcoming projects include Carmen at Austin Opera and Much Ado about Nothing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She received her Master of Fine Arts at Boston University. As a Chinese-American lighting designer, Marcella actively seeks to collaborate with and amplify the voices of fellow BIPOC artists of all intersectionalities.

Ronell Oliveri has been designing wigs and makeup for opera, theater, ballet, and film for the past 20 years for such companies as Minnesota Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Central City Opera, and The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University.

Currently she is the resident wig and makeup designer for Opera Colorado and Opera Omaha. As a wig and makeup artist her professional credits include engagements with Chicago Lyric Opera, LA Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, and Boston Ballet. She was a Prime-Time Emmy nominee as key makeup artist for her work in television. Her work can also be seen in several Broadway shows including Wicked, All The Way, and Waitress. Recent engagements include Boston Lyric Opera’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Opera Omaha’s Don Pasquale, and Central City Opera’s 2023 summer festival. Upcoming engagements include Opera Omaha’s El último sueño de Frida y Diego, Opera Columbus’s Eugene Onegin, Pacific Symphony's La bohème, and Opera Colorado’s Sampson and Deliah.

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

Meg Gillentine

Andriana Chuchman

Meg Gillentine makes her Opera Omaha debut choreographing La traviata. Ms. Gillentine started as a classical dancer with The Atlanta Ballet. She is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts. While attending NYU she made her Broadway debut in Cats at nineteen. Other Broadway credits include Fosse and The Frogs. She was a featured dancer in the City Center Encores production of A Bed and a Chair, A New York Love Affair, and she performed in the first national tour of The Producers with Jason Alexander and Martin Short. Her love of opera started 20 years ago when she fell in love and married GRAMMY Award-winning operatic tenor Jay Hunter Morris.

She choreographed La Gazza Ladra at the Glimmerglass Festival, where she also danced the role of the Magpie. With the Atlanta Opera she was choreographer for Daughter of the Regiment, directed by E. Loren Meeker, The Flying Dutchman, a Co-production with Cincinnati Opera directed by Tomer Zvulun, and The Seven Deadly Sins, where she also played the role of Anna 2.

Ukrainian-Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman returns to Opera Omaha after last performing in The Capulets and the Montagues. This season Ms. Chuchman appears in the Dallas Opera’s world premiere of Joby Talbot’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and makes three important role debuts – Violetta in La traviata at Opera Omaha, Juliette in Romeo et Juliette at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the Houston Grand Opera. She has appeared with many prestigious opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Glyndebourne Festival Tour, Salzburg Witsun Festival and the Hamburg State Opera. In her native Canada, she has appeared with the Canadian Opera Company, Manitoba Opera, and Edmonton Opera.

Choreographer

Brian Vu

Violetta Valéry

Hyung Yun

Alfredo Germont

Giorgio Germont

Tenor Brian Vu returns to Opera Omaha after last performing in The Rose Elf. The 2023-2024 season sees Mr. Vu sing his first Tenor solos in Handel’s Messiah with Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, a return to Opera in the Heights to debut Rodolfo in La bohème, and a TBA project at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in NYC. Previous highlights include a return to Minnesota Opera as Bryce in the world premiere of Edward Tulane, a return to the Metropolitan Opera as Sergio in a new production of Fedora, Sarasota Opera as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Hawaii Opera Theater as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, and a return to Glimmerglass Festival as the title role in Candide. Brian is a graduate of Yale University and UCLA. In his free time, he loves exploring new cities and dancing at the disco with friends. IG: @vouski.

Baritone Hyung Yun makes his Opera Omaha debut in La traviata.

With The Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Yun has performed numerous roles including Valentin in Faust under Maestro James Levine, Ping in Turandot (for 9 years), Lescaut in Manon with Renee Fleming, Silvio in Pagliacci, Count Nottingham in Roberto Devereux with Sondra Radvanovsky, Albert in Werther, and Zurga in Pearl Fishers with Matthew Polenzani.

With LA Opera, he has been seen as Marcello in La bohème and Lescaut in Manon with Rolando Villazón.

In the 2023-2024 season, Mr. Yun performs Carmina Burana as a baritone soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony and will return as Ping in Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera. Other recent credits include Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera, La traviata with Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the title role of Rigoletto with Opera Columbus, the title role of Eugene Onegin with Madison Opera, La traviata with Washington National Opera, Il Barbiere di Siviglia with New York City Opera, Falstaff at the Tanglewood Festival, and Hayes’ Requiem at Carnegie Hall.

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

25

ARTIST

BIOGRAPHIES Audrey Babcock

Jaime Marie Webb

Mezzo-soprano Audrey Babcock returns to Opera Omaha after performing in Rigoletto.

Engagements for the 2023-2024 season include her role début as Amneris in Aida and Mrs. Gibbs in Ned Rorem’s Our Town with Utah Festival, and her début as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana.

An accomplished Carmen with more than 200 performances, Ms. Babcock made her French début in the title role with the Festival Lyrique en Mer and has sung it with Florentine Opera, Nashville Opera, Florida Grand Opera, New York City Opera, San Antonio Opera, Knoxville Opera, Opera Delaware, Toledo Opera, Anchorage Opera, Dayton Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, and Utah Festival Opera. Dedicated to contemporary works, Ms. Babcock recently débuted the roles of Toledo in Redler/Dye’s new work The Falling and the Rising with Arizona Opera and Opera Carolina, Nica in Yardbird with Seattle Opera, and Eva in An American Dream with Opera Santa Barbara. As a producer, writer, and creator, her projects Lily; her life, his music and Beyond Carmen, provide audiences an evening of compelling, thoughtprovoking storytelling with sensational presentation.

Soprano Jaime Marie Webb makes her Opera Omaha mainstage debut in La traviata.

Mrs. Webb has appeared in leading roles across the U.S. and abroad. Select performance credits include Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Norina in Don Pasquale, Micaëla in Carmen, Musetta in La bohème, Hanna Glawari in Die lustige Witwe, Casilda in The Gondoliers, and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro. Most recently, she made her Carnegie Hall debut singing scenes as Violetta and Lakmé. Mrs. Webb is a former Holland Community Opera Fellow at Opera Omaha and a former Patricia and Dr. Carl S. Hoveland Opera Fellow at The University of Georgia Opera Theater. During her residency at Opera Omaha, she premiered fourteen new works for Opera Omaha’s Poetry & Music Project, performed as a soloist in the Opera To Go series, and was featured in Opera Omaha’s season opening, Opera Outdoors.

Graham Brooks

Matthew Sommer

Tenor Graham Brooks returns to Opera Omaha after last performing in Don Pasquale. A young, versatile singer from Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Brooks has sung operatic roles in repertoire spanning 5 centuries and 7 languages. He was recently engaged as the Tenor Soloist in Hastings College's Messiah. Mr. Brooks spent the summer of 2023 with Central City Opera as a Young Artist, where he sang in Roméo et Juliette, Kiss Me, Kate, and Rossini's Otello. In the Spring of 2023, he sang Don Basilio and Don Curzio in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Omaha and sang Dominique in Amy Beach's Cabildo as a Guest Artist with Simpson College. In two summers with Utah Vocal Arts Academy, Mr. Brooks performed Pluto in Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld and The Prince in Dvorak's Rusalka. Additionally, his favorite collegiate credits include Giovanni in Catàn's La hija de Rappaccini, Laurie in Adamo's Little Women, and both Tamino and Monostatos in separate productions of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte.

Matthew Sommer returns to Opera Omaha after last singing the Notary in Don Pasquale.

Mr. Sommer graduated with a master’s in music in 2014 from Colorado State University where he sang in productions of Il matrimonio segreto, The Merry Widow, and Cendrillon among several others. During this time, he also participated in productions of Faust and The Ballad of Baby Doe with Opera Fort Collins. He has been a part of the opera community in Omaha for several years, having made his debut with Opera Omaha in A Flowering Tree as a member of the chorus. He has performed as a chorus member with Opera Omaha in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La bohéme, Cosí fan tutte, Sweeney Todd and many others. He recently made his principal debut at the Orpheum in the role of Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro and is excited to be returning twice this season for Don Pasquale and La Traviata.

Flora Bervoix

Gaston de Letorières

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

Annina

Barone Douphol

Schuyler Rose

Jared Hiscock

Bass Schuyler Rose returns to Opera Omaha after last performing in Eugene Onegin. Mr. Rose is an Omaha area artist who has been a member of the Opera Omahas Chorus for over 10 years.

In his time with the company, he has been a featured soloist in Rigoletto, Pagliacci, and Sweeney Todd. This is the first time he will appear on the Orpheum Stage with a named roll and bio in the program. He'd like to take this opportunity to thank his parents, Scott and Sheri Arnold, for their constant love and support, they have never missed a show or an opportunity to let him know how proud they are of him. And to his loving wife Kim Rose, thank you for your unwavering love and support, without which none of this would be possible. And thank you to Opera Omaha for this opportunity and for the many years of artistic fulfillment.

Baritone Jared Hiscock makes his Opera Omaha mainstage debut in La traviata. Mr. Hiscock is excited to return to Opera Omaha after his time as a 2019-2022 Holland Community Opera Fellow. Recent engagements include Mozart’s Requiem with the Résonance Consort, Argento’s The Andree Expedition at Hastings College, Heggie’s Here and Gone with the Salt Creek Song Festival, and Handel’s Messiah with the Hastings Symphony Orchestra.

Upcoming Jared will return to the Salt Creek Song Festival for a performance of Kernis’s Brilliant Sky, Infinite Sky. Jared holds an M.M. and D.M.A. in vocal performance from the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska. Currently, Jared serves as the Director of Performance – Music at Hastings College where he teaches voice and works in tandem with the Office of Admissions to support student growth and success.

Gavin Rasmussen

Jesse Wohlman

Gavin Kelley Rasmussen returns to Opera Omaha after performing in Don Pasquale. During their attendance at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Rasmussen sang in productions of Il signor Bruschino, Lakmé, and played the roles of Lt. Joseph Cable in South Pacific, Don Pelagio in La canterina, Vassili in Mavra, and Ruggero Lastouc in La rondine. During this time, they participated in the Asheville Lyric Opera Young Artist Program performing various celebrated opera scenes and singing the role of Uriel in The Creation. They also participated in the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop playing the role of Valletto in L'incoronazione di Poppea and singing for the Harrower Summer Opera Gala. Rasmussen has been a part of the opera community in Omaha for several years, having made their first debut with Opera Omaha in La bohème as a member of the chorus. They have performed as a member of the chorus with Opera Omaha in Tosca, Faust, Madama Butterfly, The Abduction from the Seraglio, and many others.

Baritone Jesse Wohlman returns to Opera Omaha after last performing in Don Pasquale.

Mr. Wohlman is a singer, actor, songwriter, and university instructor based in Omaha, Nebraska. Locally, he has had the pleasure of working with a variety of performing arts organizations including the Omaha Symphony, BLUEBARN Theatre, Opera Omaha, Vesper Concerts, Salt Creek Song Festival, and is a core member of Résonance. Recent credits include Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Résonance, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast with The Rose Theater, and the bass soloist in Bach’s “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” with the Omaha Symphonic Chorus. Mr. Wohlman received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is a faculty member of the Borland School of Music at Concordia University, Nebraska.

Marchese d'Obigny

Giuseppe

Dottore Grenvil

Messenger

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

27

Orchestrating Success with Opera Omaha.

Investment Management | Trust & Estate Planning | Philanthropy | Family Office www.bridgestrust.com (402) 393-8300

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

OPERA OMAHA

OPERA OMAHA

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION STAFF

CHORUS

Cindy Knight*

Amanda Jones

STAGE MANAGER

COSTUME SUPERVISOR

SOPRANO

Rebecca Herman*

Gary Bosanek

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

WARDROBE COORDINATOR

Jessica Tibboles*

Candace Leyland

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

WIG & MAKEUP ASSISTANT

Alexandria Plumb

Anthony Rivera

Bryan Stanley

Margot Porter*

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

SUPERTITLE OPERATOR CHORUS REHEARSAL PIANIST

Nicole Thoms

Katherine Blice PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Al Dusek+

Ava Linvog*

HEAD PRODUCTION CARPENTER

REHEARSAL PIANIST

Scott Wasson+

Laura Peters

HEAD PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN

PROPERTIES SUPERVISOR

Casey Price* ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER

Aaron Craig LIGHTING PROGRAMMER

Olivia Hacker CeCe Hastreiter Susan Linnell

Rocio Valle

ALTO Mary Carrick Crystal Dunning Jill Galvin* Megan Parsons Laura Petry Hayley Shoemaker Judi Unger

DANCERS

TENOR

Elena Carter*

Dillon Edwards

Eliza Harden*

Noah Foist*

Macy Jordan*

Jonathan Frazier

Leah Kressin*

Nate Petsche*

Katerina Schweitzer*

Gavin Rasmussen

John Dart

Daniel Schreiber Elena Carter, Eliza Harden, Leah Kressin, and Katerina Schweitzer appear courtesy of American Midwest Ballet.

BASS Matthew Brown Jon Hickerson William Miller Bret Olsen David Petry Matthew Weinrich Jesse Wohlman

+IATSE Local 42 Stagehand Services are provided by IATSE Local 42.

Wardrobe Services are provided by IATSE Local 831.

Opera Omaha is a member of OPERA America.

*Opera Omaha Debut LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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OMAHA

SYMPHONY VIOLIN 1

BASS

TUBA

Susanna Gilmore, Concertmaster Ahra Cho, 1st Associate Concertmaster Henry Jenkins, 2nd Associate Concertmaster Chris Hake, Assistant Concertmaster Rebecca Kia-Mills Phyllis Duncan Scott Shoemaker Tracy Dunn Anne Nagosky Rico Amador Melissa Pruss Juliet Yoshida

Nate Olsen, Principal Bobby Scharmann, Assistant Principal James Giles Mike Swartz Dani Meier Jeremy Baguyos

Craig Fuller, Principal

VIOLIN 2 Keith Plenert, Principal Frank Seligman, Associate Principal Kevin Tompkins, Assistant Principal Dan Fletcher Lucy Duke Yi-Miao Huang Mary Perkinson Michael Keelan

VIOLA Thomas Kluge, Principal Tyler Sieh, Associate Principal Margo Romig-Motycka Judy Divis Bozhidar Shopov Alexa Brown Sarah Curley Rebecca Vieker

CELLO Paul Ledwon, Principal Greg Clinton, Associate Principal Tim Strang, Assistant Principal Mark Motycka Holly Gullen-Stout Shannon Merciel Trevor Peterson Korynne Bolt

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

FLUTE Maria Harding, Principal Lisa Meyerhofer, Assistant Principal Kasumi Leonard, 3rd Flute and Piccolo

OBOE Sandy Rock, Principal Heather Baxter, Assistant Principal Christine Sallas, 3rd Oboe and English Horn

CLARINET Carm Galante, Principal Rosario Galante, Assistant Principal Madison Freed, 3rd Clarinet and Bass Clarinet

BASSOON Jim Compton, Principal Nick Nelson, Assistant Principal Karen Sandene, 3rd Bassoon and Contrabassoon

HORN Brett Hodge, Principal Austin Ruff, Associate Principal Steve Schultz Jordan Dinkins

TRUMPET Scott Quackenbush, Principal Federico Montes, Associate Principal Chris Hass

TROMBONE Patrick Pfister, Principal Jason Stromquist Jay Wise

TIMPANI Jack Rago, Principal

PERCUSSION Derek Dreier, Principal Paul Matthews, Assistant Principal

HARP Sara Magill, Principal

KEYBOARD Christi Zuniga, Principal

ORCHESTRA OPERATIONS Jennifer Boomgaarden, President & CEO Kyra Hansen, Director of Operations & Production Marshall Carby, Assistant Director of Operations & Production Jimmy Lewis, Operations & Production Manager Emily E. Duffin, Orchestra Personnel Manager Lindsay Corbin, Operations Coordinator Tracy Bass, Head Librarian Nicholas Buonanni, Librarian John Coate, Stage Manager

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

31

The Opera Omaha Guild is a dedicated group of individuals who actively support Opera Omaha’s fundraising, community engagement and education programs. Members plan and promote events such as Cotillion (etiquette classes for area sixth graders), social luncheons, educational activities, opera study groups, and pre-performance parties.

If you are interested in joining the Opera Omaha Guild, please call (402) 346-7372 or visit operaomaha.org/guild for additional information.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you soon!

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AT LARGE BOARD MEMBERS

Deb Peterson

Lora Kaup

PRESIDENT

VP SOCIAL

Lora Kaup

Lisa Hagstrom

PRESIDENT ELECT

COTILLION LIAISON

Mark Maser

Kelly Sanford

Vivian Davis

Mary Ellen Mulcahy

PAST PRESIDENT

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Sherry Taxman

Josie Wadman

Connie Kinnear

VP EDUCATION

RECORDING SECRETARY

Sara Young

Kelly Sanford

April Nebel

VP FUNDRAISING

TREASURER

Betty Foster

Dana Carlton-Flint VP MEMBERSHIP

– ON SALE NOW –

Opera Omaha productions are made possible, in part, with significant support from the Craftsman’s Guild.

Feb. 23–March 30, 2024

Mike & Cindy Baumer

Hilarie Price

Ian Bugeja

Valerie Proctor

Tom Burton

Dick Serpan

Gina Carusi

Margret Sexton

Mary Fieber

Brendy Shishido

Kate & Chris Gannon–Tombrello

Saprina Thielen

Bill Gaus

Joe Torchia

Book by JOE MASTEROFF

Nora Mae & John Gibson

Leslie Vann

Directed by ALEX RODRIGUEZ

Melissa Gebauer

Annika Weber

Patti Jaynes Mark Kalal

Music by JOHN KANDER Lyrics by FRED EBB

Set in Germany as the Nazi party gains power, the iconic Emcee welcomes audiences (“Willkommen”) to the seedy Kit Kat Klub where performer Sally Bowles has a rendezvous with an American writer.

Christine Lund Kevin Mader

Costume & Make-Up Sponsor:

Orchestra Series Sponsor:

Dean Manternach Julie Mead Christine & Patrick Peters 32

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

(402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com 6915 Cass St. Omaha, NE

Costume Care Sponsor:

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OMAHA MAGAZINE – it’s about all of us.

Omaha Magazine publishes stories about interesting people who live next door and fascinating former Omahans. It is the place to read stories about the arts, the food, the music, and the events that are making Omaha the cultural epicenter of the Midwest.

OmahaMagazine.com/Pages/Subscribe

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024 od Issue Fo

33

FEATURING SONGS BY: BillyJoel The Beatles The Rolling Stones Huey Lewis & The News Styx Queen

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Set in a music-filled suburban basement, this unbelievable heartfelt true story is guaranteed to take you back to the first time you pushed play, tuned in, and set the needle down.

Forever Young

BÉLA FLECK IN CONCERT

BÉLA FLECK

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 7:30 PM LIED CENTER

ELENA RUEHR & BRAHMS

ELAN RUEHR & MARK CLINTON

FRIDAY, APRIL 5 7:30 PM LIED CENTER

LEMONY SNICKET’S THE COMPOSER IS DEAD

LEMONY SNICKET

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 3:00 PM O’DONNELL AUDITORIUM

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

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SUNDAY, MAY 5 6:00 PM LIED CENTER

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

L I N C O L N S Y M P H O N Y. C O M

Forever Young is a fully staged musical that follows one unforgettable group of friends as they discover the greatest hits of all time!

LINCOLN’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

4 0 2 . 4 76 . 2 2 11

Sunday March 10 7:30 PM

2 0 2 3 -2 0 2 4 S E A S O N

2023-24 National Performance Season

OPERA OMAHA GUILD

COTILLION GRADUATES Will Ahlers

Addie Flodine

Esther Anderson

Olivia Forlini

Rylen Appleby

Elyse Forrest

Scarlett Arnold

Graham Forrest

Landon Baack

Eleanor Futhey

Vivienne Balus

Aurora Gálvez Klucinec

Nash Barnes

Matilda Gibson

Carson Bartelt

Max Goranson

Alivia Baumgart

Ian Grier

Maria Bautista-Lopez

Adeline Grot

Henry Bellenbaum

Lauren Hagstrom

Claire Birge

Samuel Harr

Kate Bode

Emily Harry

Jude Bolin

Jack Hawk

Grant Boone

Eleanor Heaston

Stella Boulos

Bo Herdzina

Mia Boyer

Leo Herdzina

Charlotte Breunsbach

Estelle Hoberman

Anna Buescher

Lily Hoffman

Alexander Campos

Luke Hoffman

Kendall Carpenter

Kellan Hudson-Benash

Bella Chickinell

Tessa Hunley

Alyssa Collazo

Jack Janssen

Nathan Cook

Cohen Johnson

Finn Covi

Ashford Kenny

Reese Dana

Toby Kenny

Meredith Davies

Katelynn Kinsella

Jasper DeMars

Anabelle Klabunde

Hayden Dieckman

Francesca Kolterman

Ellie Dietz

Gavin Konsel

Giovanni DiMaio

Lexi Konsel

Frania Drapa

Aubrey LaBille

George Dugger

Kyle Langan

Brendan Eckert

Sebastian Langel

Owen England

Noah Lankhorst

Molly Epstein

Morgan Lapic

Adyson Erwin

Chase Lewis

Joseph Evans

Eleanor Liakos

Jack Longo

Noah Strese

Owen Lutz

Anna Strovers

Cece Makari

Edith Sutton

Eleanora Marinkovich

Halle Tauber

Ryan McClelland

Tori Tauber

Sophia McDevitt

Jeremiah Thompson

Andrea McGuire

Joseph Tooher

Natalie McGuire

Evelyn Turner

Dominic McLaughlin

Masumi Ueda

Elisabeth Meyer

Brooklyn VandenBosch

Leyton Michaelis

Aven VanderVeen

Luci Michels

Maxwell VanderVeen

Paisley Moore

Matilda Wageman

Paidan Morris

Gibson Ward

June Myers

Hudson Wegner

Taylor Nogg

Jack Westling

Graham O’Brien

Samantha Winter

Maddock Olsen Saoirse Park Ethan Pratt Riya Punja Billy Quinlivan Cooper Raetz Cole Robinson Kendall Rocker Raylan Rollins Margaret Rowen Chloe Ruback Tommy Rudersdorf Italia Sanchez Ramos Lizzy Schlattmann Meadow Shea Maxwell Sheets Mya Shoemaker Avery Shonka Elizabeth Sindelar Sarah Sindelar Xavier Siner Britta Skiermont Lily Stickels Graham Storm

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

35

OPERA OMAHA

HOLLAND COMMUNITY OPERA FELLOWSHIP The Holland Community Opera Fellowship (HCOF) works collaboratively with community partners to co-create programming that helps individuals, organizations, and communities reach their goals, acting as creative and artistic resources to the community.

Fellows serve as ambassadors of the company by bringing their artistic talents and resources to the table, partnering with experts in the community who are actively working to solve the most pressing challenges our neighbors are facing. Via this collaboration, Fellows work to impact social issues such as homelessness, accessibility and inclusion within disability services, immigration, early childhood education, and more.

THE COMMUNITY PANEL Guiding the Fellowship, the Commmunity Panel represents a cross-section of the community including organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, and community groups. The panel considers high level strategic decisions and priorities, helping set the direction of the Fellowship and is a critical part of the Fellow selection process.

23/24 COMMUNITY PANEL Ang Bennett, Inclusive Communities Camtrice Bexten, NU Foundation Tiffiny Clifton, Gotta Be Me Geri Knight, RISE Rachel Morgan, Nebraska Arts Council Erin Painter, Learning Community Center of South Omaha Rita Paskowitz, Storyteller Alysia Radicia, RDG Design Wildey Rodriguez, Intercultural Senior Center Paula Wallace, Artist/Hot Shops Angie Williams, MICAH House Gwyn Williams, Independent Leadership Coach

AS A FELLOWSHIP, WE BUILD relationships and engage in collaboration with community partners EMPOWER individuals to explore their own creativity through the many facets of opera including music, visual art, design, and storytelling COLLABORATE to identify priority issues and programming that amplify and support the mission of community partners CREATE opportunities for safe expression, including a full range of emotions INSPIRE and cultivate a diverse, empathetic, and creative community in Omaha

COMMUNITY PARTNERS & PROGRAMMING The Holland Community Opera Fellowship creates responsive programming that acknowledges the specific strengths of each participating individual or community partner.

Our partners are the experts in their communities and we rely on them to identify the needs of the people they serve.

23/24 PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

Sarpy County Juvenile Justice Center

FIND MORE INFORMATION AT OPERAOMAHA.ORG/HCOF 36

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

honored to be a part of the Holland Community Opera Fellowship program. Opera Omaha “Weis aareveryverydistinct partnership in and of itself that helps us reach the goals that we have. We are all about celebrating people’s creativity, ability, and the rich cultural heritage that we have in the Omaha metro area. Since 2017, we have been doing original operas that we have written together, as well as our most recent version of The Magic Flute.

”

— Carrie Nath, Managing Director of Ollie Webb Center Inc.’s Art of Imagination program

done 11 operas since 2017.

“I’ve I enjoy this project a lot. I wait for summer to end because we do opera workshops in the fall and spring. I want everyone to know the Fellows are kind. They are friendly. If you do art with them, they will be there to help you if you need assistance. They help with motivating me to stay calm and be who I am supposed to be on the stage.

”

—Jordon, Art of Imagination program participant

of our students what their favorite part of what we do is, they always say Opera Omaha.

“IfItyoureallyaskgetsanythem to do things that they normally couldn’t do. It’s been great watching our individuals who are sometimes too shy to participate with their peers come out of their shell and try things and find something that they enjoy.

”

— Jessica Moore, Ollie Webb Center Inc.’s Art of Imagination program

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37

OPERA OMAHA

DONORS It is our honor to recognize community members who, through their generosity to Opera Omaha’s Annual Fund, have enabled the company to triumphantly return to live, grand opera productions this season and deliver its groundbreaking, free community programming, including the nationally acclaimed Holland Community Opera Fellowship, that engages tens of thousands of people in meaningful, artistic experiences.

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

$100,000+

Richard D. Holland* Joan* and Richard O'Brien* Mary and Richard Parrish Annette and Paul Smith

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $50,000- $99,999

Julie M. Schroeder Katie Weitz and Tim Wilson Kate and Roger Weitz

PRODUCER $25,000-$49,999

Anonymous Cindy and Mogens Bay Carol E. and David A. Domina Catherine and Terry Ferguson Constance B. Meunier* Meredith and Drew Weitz Joan Gibson* and Donald Wurster Gail and Michael Yanney

BACKER

$10,000-$24,999

Anonymous Sara and Jawed Bharwani Sharon and Randy Blackburn Dr. and Mr. Anne and Stephen Bruckner Sandi and Bill Bruns David and Frances Ertel Kyoko and Jonathan Fuller Vivian and Allen Hager Vernie and Carter Jones Vicki and David Krecek Janet and H. Frederick Kuehl

38

David and Jane Offutt Donald and Rita Otis Barbara Person and Scott Burger Pauline Quinn Linda Burt Rebrovic and John Rebrovic Janet and Jerry Syslo

BENEFACTOR $5,000-$9,999

Anonymous Linda Matson Andersen Jo Bartikoski and Don Westling Dr. Betty L. Beach Roger Blauwet Dr. Debra Reilly-Culver and Robert Culver, Jr. Linda and David Gardels Linda Gordman Jerry C. Gose Dr. Ali Khan Sheila McNeill Devin J. Fox, MD Sharee and Murray Newman Ann and Paul O'Hara Connie and H. Don* Osborne Ellen and Richard Slosburg Donna and Coyner Smith Annette and Paul Smith Shirley and Michael Sorrell Ann and Kenneth Stinson Mary Ann Strasheim Dr. and Mrs. James Tracy Robert and Ellen Vladem Kenley and Jara SturdivantWilson Mary Beth and James Winner

GUARDIAN $3,500-$4,999

Anonymous Betty Foster Belle and Ryan Hansen

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Mr. and Mrs. James H.* Keene III Silvia Greene Roffman

SUSTAINER $1,500-$3,499

Maria Carlson Viv and John Ewing Mike and Kiley Freeman Bill L. Gaus Judy and George Haecker, Jr. Carol and James Healy Constance Heiden Kammandel and Henry Kammandel Mary Jetton Alfred G. Kelley Joanne and David Kolenda Paul Ledwon and Mark Allen Maser Deana and Michael Liddy Sharon McGill Stephen Novick Constance Ryan Anne Stoddard Ginger Talbot Terry Tomcsik Shelby VanNordstrand Gail and Irving Veitzer Denny Creighton and Kris Vikmanis Cindy Weil Anne and Arnold Weitz Sarah and Adam Yale

PATRON

$750-$1,499

Laura and Bryan Alexander Susan Grant and Rex Beck Samuel M. Bierner Nicholas Bjornson Teri and David Black Beth and Steve Borgmann Katie and Corey Broman Ann and David Burkholder Murray Joseph Casey Janet and Samuel Cohen

Melissa and John Dahir Elisa and Drew Davies Steven J. Dayton Gloria Dinsdale Rebecca and Brian Duncan Christine and Mauro Fiore Jeffrey Grinnell and Daniel Gallagher Leslie Garth Lisa Hagstrom Timothy Welch and Kimberly Hastie Casimiro Rangel and Erik Henningsen Stanton Hoppe Dr. Linda Matson and Mr. Michael Howland Sylvia Jones Ree and Jun Kaneko Sally Kaplan Sandra and Jon Kayne Michele and Bryan Kinghorn Marilyn and Mark Kirchhoff Mike Klug Barbara and Marshall Kushner Heike and Adam Langdon Katie and Craig LeDoux Cheryl Logan Cheryl and Luke Matranga Nancy and Michael McCarthy Neil Sechan and Matthew Messner Karen and Paul Mullen Polly and Frank Partsch Deb and Eric Peterson Janet and Louis Pol Elizabeth and Jerry Powell Tom Richter Greta Vaught and John Ritland Victoria and Edward Roche Susan and Clark Rosenlof Carol and Richard Russell Erin Sample Hassan Shalla and Ana Lopez Shalla Kay M. Shilling, M.D. Sissy Katelman Silber

*Deceased

Donald Slaughter Kara and Joe Spitzenberger Joanne Li and Frank Stalla Peter and Marika Stone Sherry and Jeff Taxman Kate and Chris GannonTombrello Patricia Victor Verne Weber Ann and John Williamson Laura Wilwerding James Wink Melanie and John Wright John A. Yost

ADVOCATE $300-$749

Eileen and Timothy Arkebauer Tom Chandler and Bill Schaffer Joan and Don Cimpl Cora and Maurice Conner Mary and Hal Daub Mary and Ronald Ferdig Sarah Marie Ferneding Dr. Jon Flanagin Elizabeth and John Fullerton Susan and Craig Ihnen Mary Helms and Kenneth Olson Shari Hofschire Bonnie and David Jaros Jeffrey Johnston Ronna and Joe Kutlas Julie and Joseph Lecci Jake and Jenny Mason Gwendolyn Olney and Scott Peters Dr. Debra J. Romberger Pia Ulrich Raymond W. Vondrak

FRIEND $1-$299

Anonymous (4) Laureen Ackermann Ann Antlfinger Cheryl Arends Kelsey E. Arends Patty Baker Marco Ballarin Susan Baumert Marti Baumert and Richard Jeffrey Lorraine Beadell and Greg Love Mark Beck Mayrene Bentley Laila Berre Tamien Blackamore Franz Blaha

Amy Bones Abby Borgmann Lyn and Stephen Bouma Kathleen Joan Bradley Mia H. Brenner Kate W. Brown Rob Buckley Janice and Mario Buda Janet* and Donald Bumgarner Frank Burnham Judeen Bursovsky Clare and Tom Burton Thad and Sharon Call Karen and David Campbell Thomas Carr Karlyn and Richard Carson Melanie and Jeffrey Chapman Susan Chenoweth Tina and John Cherica Christine and Bob Chilcoat Donna Christian Patricia Cody Mary Jo and Richard Coffey Edward Cohn Shannon Monique Coleman Elizabeth A. Collins Michael Del Core Lisa Couillard Carmelita Cox Daniel Cox and Eleanor Shirley Eric Crimmins Eileen M. Crinklaw Rex Daugherty James and Jennifer Davenport Vivian and Spencer Davis Hildy Dickinson Joyce Dixon John Donnellon Robert and Janice Egermayer Karla Ermel Timothy and Marleen Evans Richard and Karen Everett Micah Fannin Andrea Fineberg Caitlin Finn Sherry Fletcher Kaitlin Flynn Amy Forss Rick Fortner Terry Foster Hon. Marcena Hendrix and Dr. Howard Fox Sandra Franklin Andrew Frost Karen Gahl-Mills Mary and Barry Gerken Leanne Gifford Rose Glock Paul Godinez Ann and Donald Goldstein

Donna Gould William Graves and Elizabeth Nybakken Bob Graybosch John K. Green Mary Green Joe and Jeanne Gregory Susan Greni Jan Grimes Rex-Ann Gualco Cindy Hadsell Kathleen Haley Daniel Hamann Marilyn and Robert Hansen Erik Hanson Ellen Hargus William and Gretchen Harvey Neil Hassler Jane and Edward Hawks Cheryl and Joe Hazel Erica Heiden Timothy Held and Jay Worden Daniel S. Henslee Marilyn Hoegemeyer Margaret Horvath Tonya House Linda Hoven Annette and Steven Huff Nikolas Huffman Laura Jaros Byron and Debra Jensen Vibeke Jensen Beverly Ann Kaiman Donna and James Kalar Ruth Ann Keene Kelly Keller Kathleen Kelley Seth Kingery Piotr Andrzej Kissel Julia Kleinschmit Maria Knudtson Paul Koenig Wende and John Kotouc Kathryn Renae Kruger Barbara Kuhn Leslie Kuhnel Robert Kuzelka Dr. and Mrs. Rudy Lackner Ms. Julie Langholdt Elaine Leise Mr. Fred Levins Sr. and Mrs. Levins Ryan P. Lewis Stan Lewis Sherryl and Hiram Lilley Billie D. Logan Kathleen and John Lohr Jeffrey B. Loomis Jan and Blake Lund Christine Lund

Terri Well Man Charles Mausser Dorothy* and Daniel McKinney Jim and Christine Medici Taliah Merritt Ann Jansen Michelson and Brent Michelson Cindy Miserez Richard Morris Tom Murnan Kevin Murray Ms. Diana Nevins Peter Nielsen Mr. Rodney Nordeng Tirimba Obonyo Genevieve Odom Douglas Duane Olson Ellen Osborn Sean Otterberg Jeanie and Donald* Owen Chris Pantuso Jill Panzer Robert Patterson Timothy F. Daugherty and Rosemary J. Pauley Diane and Robert Peabody Jacob Pearson Amie Prendes H. Margo Prentiss Natalie Prescott Joseph Prickett and Abigail Kutlas-Prickett Dan and Lisa Prickett Emily Pulley Patricia and Robert Ranney TaTanisha Ranney Cynthia and David Rector Patricia and William Ritchie Devin Tyler Rogal Noyes W. Rogers Anthony and Cyrenthia Rollins Laura Roost Robert Rose and Kathleen Crawford-Rose Courtney Rudick Nicholas G. Russell Georgia and Jon Ryba Rev. David Rykwalder Cherie Sadler Larry Saxton Dean and Rita Schechinger Susan Scherl Ms. Laura Schoenrock Mrs. Nancy Schultz Lourdes Secola and Sheldon Lerner Victory and Karel Sedlacek Margaret Sexton Joan and Charles Shapiro Amanda Shapland

*Deceased

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

39

BETWEEN A C T S FA C T S

OPERA OMAHA

DONORS

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT OR SCENE IN LA TRAVIATA?

Richard and Ellen Shubart Douglas Simpleman Jean and Thomas Sitzman Kim Sosin Ms. Sandra Spellmire Glenda and George Steinsberger Ann Stephens and John Vasiliades Mrs. Barb Stratman Jeff and Lisa Strohmyer Susan Swindells Katherine and Joe Thomas Lindsey J. Tomaso Michael Torkelson Jillian Tuck Ginny Tworek Jerry Tyrrell Leah Vinton Corinne Wardian W. Bruce Warr Sarah Watson Marilyn Watson Theresa and Edward Watson Carolyn B. Weber Mary Wolf Brad Woolbright Mary* and Anthony Yonkers Sara and John Young Edith and Robert Zahniser Susan and John Zeilinger Inna Zevakina

“

That is a very hard question to answer! So many incredible scenes, but if I had to pick one, my current one is the moment between her and Alfredo in Act 2, where she sings "Amami, Alfredo".

At this point in the opera, Violetta is torn between her love for Alfredo and her sense of duty to protect his family's reputation. As a singer, it is so satisfying to sing this 'pour-your-heart-out' moment!

”

— Andriana Chuchman

VIOLETTA VALÉRY

“

We love a party!

”

— Marcella Barbeau

LIGHTING DESIGNER

“

You have to say the 'Brindisi,' don't you? It's so widely known and you can't help but love a good party scene and to walk away with a melody that will never leave your head!

”

— Gavin Rasmussen

GIUSEPPE

“

I don't really have a favorite scene, since each one is precious to me. But I will say that the entirety of the last act is almost unbearable for me, starting with prelude and Violetta's heartbreaking aria,

*Deceased

"Addio del passato."

”

— Steven Whtie

PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR

40

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OPERA OMAHA

MEMORIALS & TRIBUTES Donors who made gifts to the Annual Fund in honor or in memory of a loved one are recognized below.

This listing reflects gifts received between July 15, 2022-December 30, 2023.

IN MEMORY OF: FRANK A. "SKIP" BLAZEK

Giger Foundation

HARRIET BECKENHAUER

Opera Omaha Craftsman’s Guild

MORRIS JAMES "JIM" BRUCKNER Mary Beth and Jim Winner

PETER CLOGG

Victory Sedlacek

GLORIA DUNBAR Victory Sedlacek

JOAN GIBSON

Tom Chandler and William Schaffer Robert and Janice Egermayer Lauritzen Gardens James and Susan Tracy

BETSYE PARAGAS

Tom Chandler and William Schaffer Sherry Fletcher Sharon Hofschire Kate and Roger Weitz

GLADYS ANN GANYARD Mary Ann Strasheim

ROBERT G. RUETZ

ROGER WEITZ

Bill L. Gaus Joanne and David Kolenda Mary Ellen Mulcahy

CHERYL SANWICK

Betty L. Beach Clare and Thomas Burton Annika and Allen Weber

HOWARD COFFIN

BRUCE HANEY

RUTH AND JAMES KEENE

Joanne and David Kolenda

Ruth Ann Keene

JOHN HUTZLER

BILL AND MASAKO LOGAN

ANN MACTIER

Joanne and David Kolenda Mary Ellen Mulcahy

SANDY MATTHEWS Heike and Adam Langdon Mary Ellen Mulcahy Kate and Roger Weitz

JOAN AND RICHARD O’BRIEN Ruth Keene David and Joanne Kolenda Ms. Mary Ellen Mulcahy Mary Ann Strasheim Roger and Kate Weitz

SARA YOUNG

Betty Foster Ellen and Richard Shubart

MIMI TANNER

RHONDA HALL

Christine and Jim Medici

Sheldon Lerner and Lourdes Secola Mary and Richard Parrish Nicholas Russell Anne and Arnold Weitz

Victory Sedlacek

IN HONOR OF:

Opera Omaha Craftsman’s Guild

ALLISON SWENSON

Rebecca Duncan Andrea Fineberg Neil Sechan and Matthew Messner Brad Woolbright

ELSA GRIESBACH

Geri Knight

KELLY AND MARK SANFORD Taylor Gunnels

Sheldon Lerner and Lourdes Secola

Billie D. Logan

MILES MYKKANEN Steve Novick

MARY AND RICHARD PARRISH Betty L. Beach Mary Jetton

RICHARD PARRISH’S BIRTHDAY Betty L. Beach Mary Jetton

SUE PEARSON

Jacob Pearson

JOE PRICKETT

Allan and Karen Dennis

JAMES F. PYRZYNSKI Bill L. Gaus

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41

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M AY 3 & 5 , 2 0 2 4

EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑO DE FRIDA Y DIEGO

(The Last Dream of Frida and Diego) Composed by Gabriela Lena Frank Libretto by Nilo Cruz

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETOMAHA.COM 42

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

FRIDA Y DIEGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Opera Omaha is grateful to be working with a number of local partners and community members to celebrate El último sueño de Frida y Diego in Omaha surrounding the opera performances in May.

Angélica Perez

Gabriel Escalera

Magdalena Garcia

Dr. Claudia Garcia

Erin Painter

Marcos Mora

Claire Morgan Caswell

José F. García

Rocio Valle

With the support of these partners, helping to plan and support events, accompanying the production will be a mix of public events and opportunities to explore this opera in the context of Omaha culture. More information coming soon!

OPERA COAT

Enameled cast iron sculpture, embellished with copper and bronze.

Created by Opera Omaha 22/23 Artist in Residence, Lee Emma Running Opera Coat is exhibited in the Orpheum lobby during La traviata.

More info and connected events can be found at operaomaha.org/operacoat

A tangible legacy – investment in the future of both Opera and Omaha Members of Opera Omaha’s Fortissimo Society have made arrangements to support Opera Omaha and its innovative role in the cultural vibrancy of our region for generations to come. By establishing bequests, gifts of life insurance, IRAs, trusts, and other estate plans, Fortissimo Society members demonstrate their commitment to the transformative power of opera in our community. Their legacies are tangible investments in our cutting-edge, human-centered work that is leading and redefining the future of opera.

We proudly recognize the following Fortissimo Society Members Peppy* and Norman* Bahr Jo Bartikoski and Don Westling Betty L. Beach, PhD Kathleen Joan Bradley Sandra L.E. and William C. Bruns Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation Linda and David Gardels Geof* Heiden and Connie Heiden Kammandel Mary* and Charles* Heider Mary* and Richard* D. Holland Aline Hosman* Sally and Gary* Kaplan Joanne and David Kolenda Graham Lusk* Charles MacKay and Cam McCluskey Ann* and Allan* Mactier Constance B. Meunier*

Sharee and Murray Newman Ephraim L. Marks* and David M. Rice* Mark Allen Maser Joan F. and Richard L. O’Brien Ann and Paul O'Hara Mr. and Mrs.* Robert E. Owen Mary and Richard Parrish Thompson H. Rogers Ruth and William Scott Eve and Fred* Simon Dr. and Mrs. Michael and Shirley Sorrell Dr. Judith Stoewe* Mary Ann and Jerrold* Strasheim Janet and Jerry Syslo Bruni and Roy* Thylin Mary Beth and James Winner

We are grateful to the following individuals who designated a portion of their estate to support Opera Omaha, upon their passing.

Rabbi Myer S.* and Dorothy Kripke* Pauline D. Nelson* Howard Silberg* Margaret Wiltse* Annie F. Zinn*

SPECIAL FUNDS We thank the donors who have established restricted funds to honor a family, friend and loved one. These named funds provide important ongoing support through Opera Omaha’s endowment.

The Barbara Willson Fund The Jane Hill Education Fund The William Randolph Hearst Fund

For more information about ways to give, sample language for bequests, or to inform us of your inclusion of Opera Omaha in your estate plans, please reach Joe Prickett, Director of Development at (402) 346-7372 or jprickett@operaomaha.org. *Deceased

OPERA OMAHA

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT DONORS CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

BACKER

Anonymous (2) Douglas County Board of Commissioners Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation Holland Foundation Omaha Steaks Peter Kiewit Foundation Weitz Family Foundation

Adah and Leon Millard Foundation Conagra Brands Foundation Giger Foundation Iowa West Foundation

$100,000+

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

$10,000-$24,999

Jetton Charitable Fund Kiewit Corporation Mammel Family Foundation Sylvia B. Cohn (Rose Blumkin Foundation Inc.)

$50,000-$99,000

The Hawks Foundation

Anonymous

Union Pacific Corporation

Heider Family Foundation

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Allan and Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation Valmont Industries, Inc.

University of Nebraska Omaha

PRODUCER

BENEFACTOR $5,000-$9,999

$25,000-$49,999 First National Bank of Omaha Mutual of Omaha Nebraska Arts Council Nebraska Cultural Endowment Omaha Magazine

CL Werner Foundation Fraser Stryker HDR, Inc. Husch Blackwell LLP Omaha Star

RSM US LLP William R. Patrick Foundation

ADVOCATE $1-$4,999

Amazon Smile Foundation Backer Family Charitable Trust Cimino Tours LLC Community Foundation for Western Iowa Edward and Lida Robinson Charitable Trust Heritage Omaha Humanities Nebraska Koley Jessen P.C., LLC Lauritzen Gardens Mark Sanford Group Midlands Community Foundation OPERA America Osaic Foundation Paypal Giving Fund Security National Bank Soener Foundation The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation The Great Plains Theatre Conference The Pepsico Foundation US Bank

Opera Omaha Craftsman's Guild

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF OUR MAGICAL NEW BALLET

April 27 & 28 Hoff Center May 11 & 12 Orpheum Theater

amballet.org LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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OPERA OMAHA

REPERTOIRE HISTORY 1958-59

Madama Butterfly Tosca Oklahoma!

Hansel and Gretel

1959-60

Carousel Pagliacci/Quivera

1960-61

1971-72

Rigoletto The Tales of Hoffmann

1972-73

Madama Butterfly Romeo and Juliet Un Ballo in Maschera

1973-74

Die Fledermaus La Traviata

Tosca The Marriage of Figaro The Elixir of Love

1961-62

1974-75

The Merry Widow La bohème

1962-63

Carmen La Périchole

1963-64

Aida The Barber of Seville

1964-65

Lucia di Lammermoor The Marriage of Figaro

1965-66

Rigoletto Madama Butterfly

1966-67

Il Trovatore The Ballad of Baby Doe

1967-68

La bohème Lucia di Lammermoor La Périchole

1975-76

La traviata Manon Bilby’s Doll The Barber of Seville

1976-77

Aida The Merry Widow Don Pasquale Don Giovanni

1977-78

Madama Butterfly The Abduction from the Seraglio* The Bartered Bride

1978-79

Tosca La bohème

The Barber of Seville Werther La bohème

1968-69

1979-80

La Traviata Carmen

1969-70

Faust Cavalleria Rusticana/ Pagliacci

1970-71

Aida Die Fledermaus

46

Die Fledermaus* La Traviata* The Pirates of Penzance

1980-81

Così fan tutte Susannah Rigoletto

1981-82

The Daughter of the Regiment Carmen The Magic Flute

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

1982-83

Don Pasquale Faust Madama Butterfly

1983-84

Aida* The Tales of Hoffmann Don Giovanni

1984-85

Tosca Falstaff Gianni Schicchi/Pagliacci

1985-86

Turandot Lucia di Lammermoor The Marriage of Figaro

1986-87

La Traviata The Barber of Seville Porgy and Bess

1987-88

The Turn of the Screw* The Juniper Tree* Where’s Dick?

Amahl & the Night Visitors* Carmen La bohème

1988-89

Oklahoma!

Partenope+ The Diary of One Who Vanished White Rose A Celebration of Bel Canto Rigoletto Manon

1989-90

Plácido Domingo in Concert Show Boat Madama Butterfly Romeo and Juliet*

1990-91

Carousel Angelina Reaux in “Stranger Here Myself” Maria Padilla+ The Golem+ Il Trovatore* The Magic Flute

1991-92

My Fair Lady Tosca Don Giovanni*

1992-93

Ermione+ The Gardens of Adonis*** Autumn Valentine*** Eugene Onegin* The Flying Dutchman

1993-94

Vive Toulouse!

Requiem Variations*** Fidelio The Pirates of Penzance

1994-95

The Merry Widow La Traviata Carmen

1995-96

The Daughter of the Regiment* Turandot The Barber of Seville

1996-97

Così fan tutte* La bohème Faust

1997-98

Don Pasquale Madama Butterfly La Cenerentola Opera Omaha 40

1998-99

Eric Hermannson’s Soul***† Aida The Marriage of Figaro

1999-00

2008-09

Samuel Ramey in “A Date with the Devil” Samson et Dalila Tosca*

The Blizzard Voices***† The Pirates of Penzance La bohème

2000-01

Amahl & the Night Visitors* Carmina Burana/Pagliacci Falstaff Man of La Mancha

Night for American Song Pagliacci Brundibár The Marriage of Figaro So in Love with Broadway*

2001-02

2010-11

All-American! Concert Amahl & the Night Visitors Otello Little Women Don Giovanni

2002-03

Richard Rodgers’ America Concert Carmen The Turn of the Screw* H.M.S. Pinafore Bloodlines***†

2003-04

La bohème Lucia di Lammermoor Cold Sassy Tree*

2004-05

The Threepenny Opera* The Tender Land* Dream of the Pacific***† Turandot La Traviata

2005-06

Paul Bunyan Madama Butterfly* The Abduction from the Seraglio*

2006-07

Tosca Wakonda’s Dream***† The Barber of Seville

2007-08

All The King’s Men* The Tragedy of Carmen* Aida*

2009-10

Opera for the Cure* Don Giovanni Madama Butterfly

2011-12

This is Opera!* Hansel and Gretel* The Marriage Contract* The Mikado

2012-13

La Traviata The Magic Flute* Bluebeard’s Castle*

2013-14

Opera Outdoors* Carmen Agrippina* La cenerentola

2014-15

Opera Outdoors* Rigoletto* A Flowering Tree* Fidelio

2015-16

Opera Outdoors* The Barber of Seville La fanciulla del West Semele*

2016-17

Opera Outdoors* La bohème Così fan tutte* Flight* Stranger from Paradise***†

2017-18

Opera Outdoors* Tosca* Falstaff* Medea* Proving Up*† ONE Festival***

2018-19

Opera Outdoors* Pagliacci The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore) Les Enfants Terribles* Faust*+ ONE Festival***

2019-20

Opera Outdoors* Madama Butterfly The Abduction from the Seraglio

2020-21

Opera Outdoors Broadcast dwb++ Miranda++ MODULATION++ Concert with the Omaha Symphony: Bizet, Mahler and Chausson Opera Under the Stars* La boheme++

2021-22

Opera Outdoors* The Capulets and the Montagues* Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* Eugene Onegin*

2023-24

Opera Outdoors* Don Pasquale El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered La traviata El último sueño de Frida y Diego

* New production + American Premiere *** World Premiere † Commissioned Work ++ Film/Digital Premiere

BETWEEN A C T S FA C T S WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR DREAM ROLES?

“

”

— Hyung Yun

GIORGIO GERMONT

“

The title role in Massenet's Werther!

— Graham Brooks

”

GASTONE DE LETORIÈRES

“

2022-23

Opera Outdoors* X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X* Suor Angelica The Marriage of Figaro

Rigoletto.

A couple of my dream roles are happening this coming season!

— Andriana Chuchman

”

VIOLETTA VALÉRY

“

I don't have one specific dream role or opera that I'd like to perform in, the dream is simply to perform.

— Schuyler Rose

”

MARCHESE D'OBIGNY

LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

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OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS Omaha Performing Arts is the local non-profit arts organization that manages the Orpheum Theater and owns and operates the Holland Performing Arts Center, and Steelhouse Omaha.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

Jack Koraleski, Chair

Joan H. Squires, President

D. David Slosburg, Vice Chair

Arnold Reeves, Senior Vice President and CFO – Finance and Administration

Michael S. Cassling, Vice Chair

Bianca Harley, Vice President of Human Capital & Inclusion

H. Dele Davies, M.D.

Sabrina Weiss, Vice President of Development

Meg Lauritzen Dodge

Aaron Ott, Director of IT

Scott C. Heider

Andy Cassano, Vice President of Programming and Education

Todd L. Johnson

Alyssa Stieren, Associate Vice President of Finance

Rodrigo López

Lee Turkovich, Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Sharlon Rodgers

Ashley Voorhees, Vice President of Administrative Services

Rachel Werner John Gottschalk, Chair Emeritus John K. Boyer, Secretary

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

GENERAL INFORMATION COVID PRECAUTIONS Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our patrons, staff, artists, volunteers and community. To ensure the safety of those who work at and visit our venues, we’ve implemented a number of changes to provide the best performing arts experience. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

• Masks are recommended for this performance • Enhanced cleaning and sanitation • Virus filtering heating and cooling • Staff and patron precautions • Touchless experience For more information, please visit o-pa.org/covid. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

FOOD SERVICES The Orpheum Theater, Holland Center, and Steelhouse Omaha are served exclusively

by O-pa Food and Beverage Services, who deliver a range of offerings, including pre-performance and intermission service.

Beverages with lids purchased in the lobbies may be brought into halls at both venues. Menus are available for private parties, special events and meetings that are tailored to individual needs and event budgets. For more information or to book an event in either venue, contact (402) 345-0202 or events@o-pa.org.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Doctors, parents or patrons expecting phone calls are advised to leave their seat location (shown on the ticket) with the appropriate parties and with the house manager or head usher. The emergency telephone number during performances is (402) 661-8555. The attendant will forward calls to the appropriate venue.

PARKING Orpheum Theater – nearby and conveniently located garage parking is available at OPPD with entrances on Howard Street between 16th and 17th streets and on 17th Street. OPPD garage

closes one hour after final curtain. Surface lot and street parking are also available.

Holland Performing Arts Center – easyaccess garage parking is available in Omaha Park 8 directly north of the Holland Center with entrances on Dodge or Capitol streets. Park 8 closes one hour after final curtain. Street parking is also available.

Steelhouse Omaha - easy-access garage parking is available at the National Indemnity garage at 322 N. 12th street, other options include Omaha Park 8 and street parking.

FIRE OR TORNADO NOTICES In the event of fire, tornado or other emergency, patrons will be given instructions regarding evacuation of the facility or relocation to areas of refuge.

Please do not run; walk to the designated areas as directed.

LOST AND FOUND Lost articles may be retrieved by speaking with an usher. If you have already left the venue, please call Omaha Performing Arts Security: (402) 661-8555.

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES Omaha Performing Arts is committed to ensuring every patron’s performance experience is convenient, safe and remarkable. Both the Orpheum and Holland offer a wide range of accessibility features. Unique requests may be accommodated by contacting Ticket Omaha in advance.

• Accessible seating throughout the hall • Accessible parking adjacent to the theater • Accessible restrooms • Accessible backstage accommodations for performers and technicians, including accessible entries, dressing rooms and restrooms • American Sign Language interpretation and Outlook Nebraska audio description is scheduled on select Saturday Broadway matinee

performances at the Orpheum but may be arranged in advance of other performances by calling Ticket Omaha • The Orpheum is equipped with hearing loop technology. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are also available for all performances in both venues. Ask the house manager or usher for assistance • GalaPro for closed captioning for select Broadway performances and other performances can be requested in advance via box office • Guide and service dogs are welcome If you have any special requests or concerns, please contact Ticket Omaha, toll free at 866.434.8587 or locally at 402.345.0606. Or email ticketomaha@opa.org. We are pleased to assist you with your needs.

TICKET OMAHA Tickets for all performances at the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center are purchased through Ticket Omaha online at TicketOmaha.com; by mail at 1200 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE 68102; by phone toll free at (866) 434TKTS (8587) or (402) 345-0606, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; or in person at the Ticket Omaha box office, 13th and Douglas streets, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for shows at Steelhouse Omaha are sold through Ticketmaster unless otherwise noted.

ENTRY INSPECTION All guests attending events at our venues are subject to visual and bag inspections conducted by Omaha Performing Arts security. Visit TicketOmaha.com/faqs for a list of items not permitted in the Holland Center and Orpheum Theater and Steelhouseomaha.com/visit for Steelhouse Omaha policies.

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OPERA OMAHA

GET INVOLVED Without the dedication and perseverance of outstanding volunteers and support groups, our productions would not be as beautiful, our bottom line would not be as sound, and our sense of community would not be as strong. For these, and many other reasons, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the following organizations.

We invite you to get involved and become a volunteer or member of one of our support groups.

For more information about the following opportunities, please visit: operaomaha.org/get-involved or email opera@operaomaha.org.

OPERA OMAHA GUILD

VOLUNTEERS

The Opera Omaha Guild is a dedicated group of individuals who actively support Opera Omaha’s fundraising and community engagement and education activities.

Members plan and promote events such as Cotillion (etiquette classes for area sixth graders), social luncheons, educational activities, opera study groups and preperformance parties. If you are interested in joining the Opera Omaha Guild please call us at (402) 346-7372 or visit our website for additional information.

Volunteers help Opera Omaha complete essential tasks like assisting with community events, ushering at concerts, or providing additional office support.

It is clear without their help, Opera Omaha would not be able to bring world class opera to Omaha stages or the community. Students can also fulfill required community service hours for groups like National Honor Society by volunteering with Opera Omaha. For more information, please fill out the inquiry form at shareomaha.org/nonprofit/opera-omaha.

CRAFTSMAN’S GUILD Integral to Opera Omaha’s success since 1962, the Craftsman’s Guild members donate stagecraft skills in the areas of wardrobe, makeup/wigs, concessions, and parties. Focused on meeting the backstage needs of guest artists and the production, members enjoy the camaraderie and reward of helping to create top notch performances for the Omaha community.

SUPERNUMERARIES

OPERA OMAHA CHORUS The Opera Omaha Chorus is comprised of professional singers from Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding communities. Please contact the company for the next audition date. You must be at least 18 years old to audition. Prospective candidates will be assigned a time slot and asked to present two selections; one in a foreign language, one in English, and neither selection can exceed five minutes in total. Arias, art songs, or church solos are all acceptable as audition pieces. Please provide printed music for the accompanist, who will be available at no cost.

Supernumeraries appear on stage in non-speaking, non-singing roles, much like being an extra in a movie. Being a “super” takes some time and patience, but is a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

Super roles are varied but might include servants, soldiers, peasants, priests and priestesses, dancers, bartenders, waiters, ragamuffins, pickpockets, and sometimes even animals! All ages, including children, are needed.

ADVERTISING For Opera Omaha program book advertising, please contact: Gil Cohen, Omaha Publications Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing

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LA TRAVIATA | FEBRUARY 2024

402.884.2047- O 402.612.9378- C gil@omahapublications.com

BETTER TOGETHER! Grow with group classes! We proudly provide affordable offerings for all ages and skill levels across a variety of instruments. Also enrolling Tuneful Tots, a class for babies and kids ages 0–4!

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@omaconservatory | 402.932.4978

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